Munition

ABSTRACT

A munition comprising a plurality of missiles disposed in axially aligned adjoining relation in a tube. A firing system is provided for firing the missiles one after the other at a high firing rate. Safety means ensure that a missile cannot be fired before the missile immediately preceding it is fired.

United States Patent Francois 1 Aug. 29, 1972 [54] MUNITION [72]Inventor: Marcel Francois, Chatenay-Malab- [56] References y FranceUNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Assignee= g fi Francais represenle 1 192,968,222 1/1961 Meier ..89/1.8 14 M q des Arms, Delegatwn 3,421,2441/1969 Reed ..42/1 F x Mmlstfnelle py L Armemenl- 2,845,004 7/1958Johnson ..89/1.5 x Direction Techniqu de Construc- 2,930,288 3/1960Jonah ..89/l.8 1 7 tions Aeronautiqu s t C mpag i 2,937,573 5/ 1960Gantschnigg ..89/1 .5 Francais Thomson-Houston, 3,139,795 7/ 1964Altschuler ..89/1 .818 Hotchkiss Brandt, Paris, France 3,451,306 6/1969Lagerstrom et al ..89/1

[22] Flled: March 1970 Primary Examiner-Samuel W. Engle [21] Appl. No.:16,302 Attorney-Waters, Roditi, Schwartz & Nissen 30 Foreign ApplicationPriority Data [57] ABSTRACT A munition comprising a plurality ofmissiles disposed March 4, France in adjoining relation a tube. A fi ngsystem is provided for firing the missiles one after the [52] US. Cl...89/1 R, 42/1 F, 83/115413 other at a high firing rate. Safety meansensure that-a 9/ missile cannot be fired before the missile immediately[51] Int. Cl. ..F41f preceding it is fired. 58] FieldofSearch....89/1.5, 1, 1.806,1.817, 1.818;

1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures MUNITION The present invention provides animproved munition comprising a series of missiles disposed one behindthe other and means for firing them in succession one by one.

Such a munition has many advantages over munitions having a singlemissilev and in particular the following: increased rate of fire due toavoidance of the reloading operation, reduction in the transverse sizeof the arms or groups of arms adapted to fire a large number ofmissiles, improved ratio between the fired mass (missiles) .and theimmobile mass (arm) for a given rate of fire. V

The number of missiles that is is possible to fire by means of thisrnulti-missile munition is in fact merely limited by the permissibleoverall length which depends on the column or stack of missiles. It willbe understood that the structure and shape of the missile should be suchthat the latter is unaffected by the effects of the powder gases, namelythe pressure, thrust and temperature.

In an embodiment of the invention, the multi-missile munition comprisesa metal tube which is open at one end and provided with an end wall atthe other, and in which the missiles are disposed, the missile which wasthe first introduced in the tube bearing against said end wall, theother missiles bearing against one another and forming, at the rear ofeach missile, an annular chamber, firing means fixed on the tube andcomprising as many missile-propelling gas-producing means as there aremissiles, each gas-producing means comprising a powder charge and anigniting device and communicating with one of the annular chambers, thefiring devices comprising therebetween a safety actuating means whichcorresponds to a pyrotechnic logic and is soarranged that the powdercharges are ignited in succession one after the other, the powder chargeof a given missile being ignited only after the missile immediatelypreceding it has been launched.

As will be understood, the tube constitutes both a case and firingchamber, that is to say, it is capable of withstanding the pressure ofthe launching gases with no need for support afforded by the wall of thechamber of an arm.

Before firing, the end wall of the tube is applied against the breech ofthe arm so that the successive thrusts produced by firing the missilesare transmitted to this breech through the column of missiles and thisend wall of the tube.

The length of the tube containing the missiles is:

either limited to the length of the stack of missiles, in which case alaunching passage or track must extend the munition,

or extends sufficiently beyond the end missile so that the tube itselfconstitutes the firing barrel, in which case the munition performs thefunctions of a case and an arm.

Advantageously, but not exclusively, the igniting devices, which areactuated one after the other, are electric and supplied irrespective ofthe number of the missiles of the munition, through a single conductorconnected to a firing station.

Consequently, if this conductor is permanently connected across avoltage, the munition fires all the missiles in succession at a ratewhich can be very high. On the other hand, if the current is distributedin the form of brief pulses, separated by an interval of time, eachpulse causes a separate and single firing only of one missile at a time.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe ensuing description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view, with a part cut away, of amunition according'to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a half axial sectional view and half elevational view of thetwo end portions of this munition and shows the first missile, thecorresponding firing means, the repetition of the missile and associatedfiring means, the required number of timesconstituting the desiredmulti-missile munition, and the tail end of the last missile bearingagainst the end wall;

FIG. 3 is a corresponding plan view partly in section taken along line3-3 of FIG. .2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view, with the transparent cover removed,of the igniting device of a missile, this device being on a scale largerthan that of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, and

FIGS. 6-8 are diagrammatic views, on a reduced scale, of this ignitingdevice in three successive positions.

DESCRIPTION Reference will first be made to FIG. 1 which is an assemblyview of the munition. The munition comprises the combination of a tubeA, n number of missiles B B B" disposed one behind the other in the tubeA and n number of firing devices C C C'.', which produce propellinggases, are electrically ignited and fixed to the outside of the tube Afor firing the missiles one by one, starting with the missile B- andending with missile B", merely by the supply of electric ignitioncurrent through a single conductor D which is, at one end, connected toa firing station (not shown) and, at the other end, connected to thefirst device C, the other devices being connected in series by conductorsections D D D".

The tube A comprises (FIGS. 2 and 3) a tube proper 1, open at itsforward end 2 and closed at its rear end by a transverse end wall 3secured to the tube by a screwthread 4. The tube 1 is surrounded locallyby binding collars 5 which are fixed by adhesion, welding or other meansand include plane faces 6 which constitute supports for the exteriorfiring devices C C".

Each missile B, B" is of any known type, depending on its function. Thelast missile B" bears against the end wall 3, whereas each of the othermissiles bears against the missile located immediately behind. Each ofthem is provided with rings or flanges 7 for guiding the missile in thetube 1 and these flanges define annul chambers 8 betweenadjacentmissiles.

Each device C C" comprises three .units or blocks 9, l0 and 11interconnected as by screws 12 (FIG. 3) and a screwthread 13.

The unit 9 constitutes a control unit and is connected to the elongatedunit 10 defining a chamber 14 which is capable of withstanding highpressure and communicates with an orifice 15 which constitutes a nozzleformed in the unit 11 and communicates with the interior of the tube 1in the region of the tail end of the corresponding missile (B forexample) and in front of the following missile (B in the annular chamber8, by way of an aperture 16 formed in the tube 1.

Located in a chamber 14 of the unit is an igniting relay 17 followed bythe powder charge element or elements 18 known per se, whose combustionat relatively high pressure affords, after expansion by way of thenozzle 15, all or a part of the gases for expelling the correspondingmissile (if desired, an additional or complementary charge can in factbe provided in the chamber 8). The powder element or elements 18 can beheld stationary before and during combustion by any known means (notshown).

Slidable in the unit 9 is a locking means 19 for maintaining thecorresponding missile (for example missile B) at rest. This lockingmeans extends through an aperture 20 in the tube 1 into a recess 21 orblind hole formed in the body of the missile. It is held in thisposition by means affording a limited force of reaction, for example aresiliently yieldable split ring 22. The locking means has a head 23which is slidable in a fluid tight manner in a cylindrical cavity 24 andconstitutes a piston and closing element. At rest, this head closes anaperture 25 which connects the cylinder 24 to the relay 17.

An electrically ignited primer detonator of fuze 26 is disposed in theunit 9. The gases it produces are admitted by way of an aperture 27below the head 23 of the locking means 19 and causes the latter toovercome the retaining action exerted by the resiliently yieldable splitring 22 and move a distance which corresponds to the release of themissile and to the unmasking of the aperture 25 leading to the relay 17and powder charge 18.

Secured in the front part of the unit 9 by screws 28 (FIGS. 4 and 5) orother means, is an electric connecting box, preferably of mouldedinsulating material. It comprises a plate 29 and a preferablytransparent hollow cover 30.

Located in a closed bore 31 (FIG. 3) in the unit 9 is a valve element 32which is biased by a calibrated spring 33 and retained in theillustrated position by a ball 34 which bears against the lateral faceof the head 23 of the locking means 19. For this purpose, the ball 34 ismovable through a transverse aperture 35 having a diameter slightlygreater than that of the ball. The valve element 32 terminates in aninsulated stem 32 which extends into the electric connecting box (29,30)which it completely closes.

Movable in another parallel bore 36 in the unit or block 9 and locatedon the other side of the locking means (19-23) is a piston 37 which ismaintained in the illustrated position by a shearable pin 38. Aninsulated stem 37 of this piston extends into the box (29, which it alsocompletely closes. An aperture 39 (FIGS. 3,4 and 6 to 8), formed in thetube 1 and in the body of the unit 9, communicates with the bore 36 andallows the gases expelling the corresponding missile to arrive behindthe head of the piston 37 and shift it to the right from the positionshown in FIG. 3, provided of course that the pressure of the gases isequal to or higher than the pressure required for shearing the pin 38.

Each electric connecting box comprises a terminal 40 (FIGS. 2,4,6] and8) to which is connected, in respect of the gas producer C the conductorD (FIGS. 1,2 and 3) and, in respect of the other gasproducing devices,the corresponding conductor section D, D D.

A spring 41 is centered on a stud 41 carried by the plate 29, and one ofits ends is connected to the fixed terminal 40 whereas a branch ab (FIG.4) at its other end tends, owing to the effect of resilience, to movefrom left to right (as viewed in FIG. 4) but is prevented from doing soby the fact that it bears against the insulated stem 32 of the valveelement 32, this stem completely closing the box 30. The branch ab ofthe spring therefore cannot move so long as the valve element 32 is inits position of rest shown in FIG. 2. This branch ab of the spring isthen in contact with a trigger guard plate 42 which is electricallyassociated with the stud of the electric primer of detonator 26 the bodyof which is earthed.

Another spring 43, also centered-on a stud 44 of the plate 29, has oneend secured at 45. One of the conductors D D D is connected to this endand to the terminal 40 of the following device C C C". The free branchcd at the other end of the spring tends, owing to the effect ofresilience, to move from right to left (as viewed in FIG. 4) but isprevented from doing so by the fact that it bears against theuninsulated stem 37 of the piston 37 (FIG. 4). This piston sterncompletely closes the box 30 and the branch cd of the spring isprevented from moving so long as the piston 37 is in its position ofrest (FIG. 3).

Between the branches ab and cd of the springs 41 and 43 in a fixedwaiting position is a metal connecting member 46 which is fixed to theplate 29 and adapted to receive the ends of the two springs when theyhave been released, as shown in FIG. 8. At rest, there are therefore twobreaks or interruptions in series in the supply circuit between theportions D, D or D, D of the conductor: an upper break (ab,46) dependingon the position of the spring 41 and a lower break (46, cd) depending onthe position of the spring 43.

In other words, each housing comprises two contactors 42, ab, 46; 46,cd, 37, whose positions (ab, 42 or ab,46 and cd, 46 or cd, 37) aregoverned by the positions of the respective moving elements, namely thevalve element 32 and the piston 37, these contactors being, for example,in series in the position ab, 46, cd.

OPERATION Before explaining this operation, the following preliminaryremarks will be made:

The firing safety of the described munition is afforded by mutuallyactuated current transfer or transmitting devices contained in the boxes29, 30 and constituting a pyrotechnic logic, a certain sequence ofoperations (explained hereinafter) being necessary for firing a missile.The correctness of this sequence is checked by the transfer devicepertaining to said missile before allowing the firing of the followingmissile. The single conductor D which supplies current to the munitionis, as explained hereinbefore, connected to the means controlling andsupervising the first missile B. The electric connection from one deviceC to the other is in readiness for operation. Upon the normal firing ofeach missile, the transfer is established and the connection advances bya device C. The firing current therefore passes in series through thealready-operated devices C for supplying current to the followingdevice.

As each missile is retained or held stationary, at rest, by the lockingmeans (19-23) so that there is no accidental movement thereof consequentto any disturbing forces, the sequence of operations must thereforeinclude the prior withdrawal of this locking means before any productionof missile-expelling gas. The sequence of operations must therefore bethe followmg:

a. Firing of the electric primer of fuze 26.

b. Withdrawal of the locking means (19-23).

c. Ignition of the powder 18 and production of gases under pressure forexpulsion of the missile.

d. Start of the movement of the missile.

e. Emergence of the missile from the tube A and drop in pressure.

This sequence of operations requires a certain period of time. When thefiring of the multi-missile munition must conform to spaced pulses, itwill be understood that the interval between these pulses must includethis period of time. If the firing current is permanent, this period oftime in fact determines the rate of tire.

The operation for each sequence of operations is the following:

a. The ignition of the primer or fuze 26.

The current arrives at the terminal 40 (FIGS. 4 and 6) and supplies theprimer 26, through the spring 41 and by way of the plate 42 which is incontact with the branch ab of the spring. The primer is ignited andproduces a corresponding gas pressure.

b. Withdrawal of the locking means (19-23).

The gases from the primer arrive behind the head 23 of this lockingmeans (FIG. 2). The pressure overcomes the retaining action which thering 22 exerts on the locking means and said locking means moves andreleases the corresponding missile and simultaneously uncovers theaperture 35, in which the ball 34 (FIG. 3) is located, and the aperture25 leading to the relay 17 and to the powder charge 18. The ball 34 nolonger bears against the head 23 of the locking means 19.

Notwithstanding the release of this ball 34 which maintains it inposition, the valve element 32 remains applied against its seating inits initial position owing to the pressure of the gases of the primer(this pressure is indeed transmitted immediately through the aperture 35in which the ball 34 is disposed with clearance) and the pressure of thegases of the powder charge 18.

c. Ignition of the powder charge and production of the missile-expellingpressure.

The gases of the primer pass through the aperture 25, after havingwithdrawn the locking means (19-23), and ignite the relay 17 which, inturn, ignites the powder charge. This pressure ensures that the valveelement 32 is still maintained in its initial position.

Meanwhile, the gases of the powder charge enter, by way of the nozzle15, the tube 1 and create therein the missile-expelling pressure in theregion of the chamber 8 behind the missile to be launched.

d. Start of the movement of the missile.

The missile, such as missile B, which is urged forward by the effect ofthe gases which bear against the forward part of the following missile,such as missile B starts to move. After having travelled a givendistance, it uncovers the aperture 39 and the missile-expelling pressureis transmitted, by way of this aperture, behind the head of the piston37 (FIG. 3). If the pressure has the required magnitude, this piston,which is biased by the gases, causes the pin 38 to be sheared. Thispiston moves and its stem is withdrawn from the box 29, 30

and releases the branch cd of the spring 43 which extends and appliesitself against the connecting member 46. The aforementioned lower breakor switch (46-cd) in the conductor is closed and the box 29, 30 is inthe condition shown in FIG. 7. On the other hand, if the pressure doesnot have the required magnitude or if the powder charge does not ignite,the pin 38 remains unsheared and the lower break or switch (46cd)remains open and prevents any transfer of current to the followingdevice C. This is an essential safety precaution. The firing thenceases.

e. Emergence of the missile from the tube and drop in pressure.

When the missile leaves the barrel of the arm, the

missile-expelling pressure suddenly drops. The drop in pressure occursin the unit 9 in the region of the valve element 32 by way of thecommunication between the tube 1 and the valve element (nozzle 15,chamber 14, aperture 25, aperture 35 containing the ball 34,- etc.

The calibrated spring 33 shifts the valve element 32 as soon as thedecreasing pressure can no longer maintain the valve element on itsseating. The threshold.

value of operation is chosen very low. The insulated stem 32 of thevalve element moves away from the box 29-30 and releases the branch abof the spring 41 which extends and applies itself against the connectingmember 46. The aforementioned upper break or switch is in turn closed(FIG. 8).

The current is transmitted or transferred. The following pulse reachingthe terminal 40 passes through the box by way of the two springs 41 and43 which are electrically interconnected by the connecting member 46 andthe conductor D and reaches the following device C where the samesequence recommences and so on up to the last device C" of the munition.

It will be understood that the last device C" and the associatedelectric connection box can be without the piston 37, the spring 43 andthe output conductor, since no transfer of current has to be effectedthereby. On the other hand, all the other parts are necessary.

The various safety precautions are afforded in the following manner.

A current pulse fed into the device C, C C" of the munition can affectonly the primer or fuze 26 of this device; the primer or fuze of thefollowing device is earthed owing to the fact that the branch cd of thespring 43 bears against the uninsulated stem 37 of the piston 37 (FIGS.4 and 6). The same is true of the following devices C.

The prirner 26 can only be ignited if the corresponding missile B iscorrectly locked in position. Indeed, if the locking means (19-23) isaccidentally raised or withdrawn, the valve element 32 is no longerretained and, in moving, releases the branch ab of the spring 43 whichleaves its contact with the plate 42. The primer can no longer beignited. The aforementioned lower break (46-cd) prevents the electricpulse from reaching the following primer and the firing of the munitionis interrupted. This is an indispensable safety precaution since themissile to be fired might have moved accidentally.

The shearable pin 38 guarantees a sufficient magnitude of the expellingpressure for firing the missile. The closing of the lower break orswitch (46-cd) therefore cannot occur for an insufficient pressure whichwould be liable to result in the missile being left in the barrel of thearm. The same is true of the situation when the powder charge 18 doesnot ignite.

The closure of the upper break or switch (ab-46) cuts off the connectionbetween the circuit and the ignited primer. Any short-circuiting of thelatter, due to the combustion of the substances it contained, does notadversely affect the ignition of the following primers.

When both breaks or switches (ab-46; 46-cd) are closed, the electriccircuit is transferred or transmitted. Any subsequent movement of thevalve element 32 or of the piston 37 under the possible action of thegases given off by the following devices C has no effect on the springs41 and 43 which transfer or transmit the current.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described, manymodifications and changes may be made therein without departing from thescope of l. A munition comprising a metal tube having an open forwardend and a closing wall at the other end. a plurality of missilesdisposed in said tube in axially adjoining relationship to one another,whereby the rear end missile bears against said end wall, means definingat the rear end of each missile an annular chamber with said tube, aplurality of firing means each of which is associated respectively withone of said missiles, fixed laterally on said tube and provided with amissile propelling gas produced means, an igniting device and a chamberfor receiving a powder charge, said munition further comprising aplurality of openings provided in said tube for putting respectively incommunication corresponding ones of said annular chambers with saidchambers of said firing means, and automatically withdrawable lockingmeans engageable with each missile for holding the missile stationary insaid tube before it is fired and means associated with said lockingmeans for withdrawing said locking means just before firing the missile,said locking means being movable in the wall of the tube and said meansassociated with said locking means comprising a cylinder directlycommunicating with said igniting device and a piston slidable in saidcylinder and connected to said locking means, said piston and cylinderconstituting a slidable closing means between said igniting device andsaid powder charge, the arrangement being such that said locking meansis withdrawn by the action of the gases of the igniting device beforesaid gases of the igniting device come in contact with said powdercharge.

1. A munition comprising a metal tube having an open forward end and aclosing wall at the other end, a plurality of missiles disposed in saidtube in axially adjoining relationship to one another, whereby the rearend missile bears against said end wall, means defining at the rear endof each missile an annular chamber with said tube, a plurality of firingmeans each of which is associated respectively with one of saidmissiles, fixed laterally on said tube and provided with a missilepropelling gas produced means, an igniting device and a chamber forreceiving a powder charge, said munition further comprising a pluralityof openings provided in said tube for putting respectively incommunication corresponding ones of said annular chambers with saidchambers of said firing means, and automatically withdrawable lockingmeans engageable with each missile for holdinG the missile stationary insaid tube before it is fired and means associated with said lockingmeans for withdrawing said locking means just before firing the missile,said locking means being movable in the wall of the tube and said meansassociated with said locking means comprising a cylinder directlycommunicating with said igniting device and a piston slidable in saidcylinder and connected to said locking means, said piston and cylinderconstituting a slidable closing means between said igniting device andsaid powder charge, the arrangement being such that said locking meansis withdrawn by the action of the gases of the igniting device beforesaid gases of the igniting device come in contact with said powdercharge.